The Cal Newport Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 283: How To Organize Your Life Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

What is the correct first step in transforming your life into something deeper? Traditional advice says to start with a clear vision of what you value. Cal has been arguing that it’s instead more important to develop a foundation of discipline. In this episode, he explores a more specific variation of this idea: perhaps the best way to prepare to pursue the big is to first learn how to control the small.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Deep Dive: How to organize your life [2:31]
- How do I “stay deep” when facing major changes? [36:37]
- How do I relax when I’m always so busy? [39:13]
- What is the difference between rituals and routines? [43:09]
- Can playing video games be part of a deep life? [51:27]
- Can deep life buckets connect to strategic plans? [57:39]
- CALL: Juggling multiple priorities to live a deep life [1:01:39]
CASE STUDY: Becoming organized to prevent overwhelm [1:07:32]
CAL REACTS: How many books did you read in 2023? [1:13:47]
Links:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/05/how-many-books-did-you-read-2023-see-how-you-stack-up/
FREE download for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow
Thanks to our Sponsors:
drinklmnt.com/deep
mintmobile.com/deep
cozyearth.com (promo code CAL)
mybodytutor.com
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 282: Slow Distractions Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

During the New Year season it is common to talk about how to be more productive. But what about the downtime between your major pursuits? In this episode, Cal argues for rewiring your brain to crave slow distractions over their faster (often digital) alternatives. The goal here is not to get more done but to transform your life into something slower and more meaningful.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Deep Dive: Slow Distractions [2:25]
- How do I work deeply as a stay-at-home parent? [29:12]
- Isn’t it myopic not to let young children use smartphones? [36:44]
- How do I succeed as a musician without social media? [38:09]
- How do I make plans without social media? [48:37]
- CALL: How to share ideas without allowing social media to take control [55:02]
CAL REACTS: I’m a 33-year old woman without a job [1:05:55]
Links:
youtu.be/YQLVWficcwc?si=lOIBa23I_0-4sJl6
Download a FREE chapter from my upcoming book, "Slow Productivity" HERE: https://www.calnewport.com/slow
Thanks to our Sponsors:
expressvpn.com/deep
notion.com/cal
shopify.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 281: Learning Hard Things Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

One of the more important abilities to cultivate for the year ahead is comfort learning complicated (and therefore valuable) new things. In this episode, Cal tackles the myths surrounding mastery and presents a new mental model for internalizing non-trivial information. As he elaborates, there is both good news and bad news when it comes to this topic: you can learn almost anything, but you can’t learn everything.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Deep Dive: Learning Hard Things [2:50]
- When it comes to taking notes, what really matters? [29:49]
- Can I fit all of my hobbies into my week? [36:02]
- Can YouTube teach me to be a better student? [39:40]
- How do I figure out what to learn next? [46:09]
- How do I learn something fast when I already have a busy schedule? [48:23]
- CALL: How does “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” relate to “Slow Productivity”? [55:11]
CASE STUDY: Slow Productivity affinity group [1:03:46]
The 5 books Cal read in December 2023 [1:13:28]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
drinklmnt.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep
This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 280: Proven Rules for Deep Living (w/ Arthur Brooks) Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

The mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks is one of the rare individuals to have both lived a carefully cultivated deep life and written a book on the topic (co-authored with Oprah!). In today’s episode, Cal interviews Brooks, going deep into the details of his unusual and inspiring career and extracting proven rules from his experience.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
INTERVIEW: Mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks [6:39]
Cal’s Favorite Completely Unnecessary and Embarrassingly Geeky Things for 2024 [1:16:04]
Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow
Thanks to our Sponsors:
rhone.com/cal
shopify.com/deep
notion.com/cal
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 279: Confronting Overload Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

We talk a lot on this show about getting more done, but what’s the best way to handle the inevitable situation in which you have too much to do? Cal walks through a sensible response to the crazy-making reality of overload.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Deep Dive: Controlling Overload [4:48]
- Is building a “second brain” important? [37:53]
- How can I bill 40 hours a week without getting overloaded? [43:30]
- What book should I buy my department to best increase their work quality? [46:31]
- How do I make progress on projects that have lots of overhead? [51:53]
- How can my wife deal with her new position and the overload that comes with it? [57:35]
- CALL: What is Cal excited to gif this holiday season? [1:06:14]
CASE STUDY: Quitting Twitter to build a better life [1:09:55]
CAL REACTS: Why did students get dumber starting in 2012? [1:17:31]
Links:
https://twitter.com/DKThomp/status/1734436486727254218
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.ladderlife.com/deep
https://www.blinkist.com/deep
https://www.hensonshaving.com/cal
This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 278: How to Think Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

One of the most important skills for cultivating a satisfying and high impact life is one we rarely discuss: the art of serious thinking. In this episode, Cal makes the case for serious thinking as an ability to specifically cultivate, then describes five specific practices you can put into place to launch a crash course in developing an effective life of the mind.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Deep Dive: How to Think [4:07]
- Does reading count as Deep Work? [38:50]
- How do I make sense of the topics I think about? [41:48]
- How should I manage boredom in a job without hurting my ability to focus? [45:12]
- How can I provide quick answers to management if I’m a slow thinker? [50:40]
- CALL: How should I structure my Deep Holiday? [56:44]
CASE STUDY: A successful Digital Detox allowing one to think in peace. [59:55]
CAL REACTS: Does collaboration make us less creative? [1:07:29]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.shopify.com/deep
https://www.mintmobile.com/deep
https://www.cozyearth.com (promo code: CAL)
https://www.mybodytutor.com
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 277: From Chaos to Calm (in 1 day) Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

We talk a lot on this show about remaining organized in a digital workplace that drowns us with incoming obligations. In this episode, Cal focuses on the key question of how you get *started* toward this goal. What do you do, in other words, on day one of your quest to find depth amidst the shallows.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Getting organized in a distracted world [6:46]

- How do I get more excited about my work plans? [45:55]

- How do I get my classmates to get better about time management? [53:59]

- How should I organize my deep work blocks? [1:00:13]

- How do I account for contingencies in my quarterly plan? [1:05:11]

- When does Cal find time to read? [1:05:50]

- CALL: How to train Deep Focus muscles [1:11:06]

CASE STUDY: Investing concentrated time [1:17:04]

The 5 books Cal read in November 2023 [1:24:08]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

expressvpn.com/deep

blinkist.com/deep

hensonshaving.com/cal

zocdoc.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 276: Lazy or Disorganized? Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

One of the most common types of messages sent in from listeners of this podcast are self-recriminations about laziness. But what does “laziness” actually mean? In this episode, Cal takes a deeper look at the common terms and sees that it’s often used to describe two unrelated phenomena. He then gives a big idea for overcoming each.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Overcoming laziness [4:00]

- How should I track small projects? [39:39]

- How do I find time to bodybuilder when I have a demanding job? [44:56]

- How do I remain motivated to work after graduation?[53:12]

- How do I make the shift from warehouse work to web development? [59:20]

- How do I deal with decision fatigue? [1:03:18]

- CALL: Implementing advice from pragmatic non-fiction books [1:07:53]

CASE STUDY: Pursuing a life of depth [1:11:31]

CAL REACTS: Algorithms act as conveyor belts [1:22:51]

LINKS:

jonathanhaidt.substack.com/p/algorithms-hijacked-my-generation

Thanks to our Sponsors:

rhone.com/cal

moshlife.com/deep

grammarly.com/podcast

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at

betterhlep.com/deepquestions

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 275: Accomplishing Hard Goals Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

How you accomplish important goals: The type that can transform your life in remarkable ways? In this episode, Cal breaks down the common mistakes we make in pursuing hard goals and then details the reverse goal setting strategy he has found to work much more consistently.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Today’s Deep Question: How do I follow through on transformative goals? [2:18]

- How do I prepare for an upcoming change to my professional life? [42:26]

- How do I schedule abundant free time? [49:43]

- Should I feel guilty that I’m so efficient I barely work? [53:47]

- How do I avoid doing too much? [1:00:27]

- How do I time block work of unknown durations? [1:07:31]

- CALL: Pursuing a career with two different paths [1:13:52]

CAL REACTS: Joe Rogan and The Rock Talk Passion [1:21:35]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

shopify.com/deep

hensonshaving.com/cal

mybodytutor.com

blinkist.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 274: The Deep Life Stack v2.0 Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Based on extensive feedback from listeners and new research, Cal is ready to unveil his new and improved version of the Deep Life Stack, his foundational approach for transforming your life from shallow and distracted to deep and remarkable.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: The Deep Life Stack 2.0 [4:40]

- Does prioritizing deep work grow your task list? [38:02]

- Does deep work impede the development of soft skills? [41:04]

- How do I shut down work without clean stopping points? [46:31]

- CALL: Intrusive thoughts while doing deep work [52:29]

- CALL: How does Cal organize his working memory.txt [57:49]

CASE STUDY: Using slow productivity to build a house [1:00:30]

CAL REACTS: Should you “burn the boats” to motivate ambitious action? [1:08:00]

Links:

amazon.com/Burn-Boats-Overboard-Unleash-Potential/dp/006308886X